With the rising cost of living having a significant impact on Malaysian communities, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri recently announced that a new minimum wage policy will come into effect on May 1.

Implemented nationwide, the government has increased the minimum wage to RM1,500 per month – up RM200 from the current wage. The minimum wage was last revised on Feb 1, 2020. It was increased by RM100 to RM1,200 during the tabling of Budget 2020.

Further, the prime minister said the new minimum wage would first apply to big companies and government-linked companies. “For micro companies with few workers and low income, the human resources minister (Datuk Seri M Saravanan) will discuss with Tan Sri Noh Omar (the entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister) to seek a postponement [of enforcement] for these small firms,” he said.

Ismail Sabri announced this when winding up the debate at the Umno general assembly 2021 here on Saturday (March 19), Bernama reports.

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